Will any of these ever be finished?

I'm hoping that getting this list 'out there' will give me the kick up the footpedal that I need to just get on with it. That's the point of linking up isn't it? To make public those UFO's that only I know about, my quilty little secrets, so I'd better move right along...

The pictures aren't great but if I mess around getting 'better' ones I'll never do this post!

 

The most pressing finish is this baby gift, I've made the basket (pattern by Anna Noodlehead- highly recommended) but then I stalled on the cushion I wanted to make to go with it. I've made the centre monogram but I also plan to include little Miquels birth details, as I don't have a clear plan on how I want to do it, I kind of wandered off to other things - embroidering a non-urgent Xmas quilt anyone?

 

This next one definitely requires some focus and direction. These are little scrappy stars I've been making for over a year with no finish date in mind. If I want my skills to develop I really need to complete things, not keep starting new ones. I think it's because in my head the finished quilt will be a.maze.ing! But I also feel that my skill-set isn't up to the level required to finish whatever project I'm working on, so I keep procrastinating and starting something new. So, this is going to be something, I'm thinking large cushion to go on my daughters bed. It will complement the stars quilt I've made for her that 'just' needs quilting- and has been waiting in that state for a year (maybe that should have been on this list?)

 

 

While having a quick look in my quilting cupboard (substitute spare room wardrobe here) for the previous projects I'm ashamed to say I came across the next two which I had totally forgotten about.

 

This top was completed about 5 years ago as a secret baby quilt for a work colleague. It's a small version of a quilt by Pam and Nicky Lintott from this book. I had made the top when she mentioned she 'hated' red, white and blue! Whilst a lot of the blue is really a turquoisy colour, I didn't want to upset a new Mum, so into the cupboard it went. Which was a real shame as I enjoyed making it. I had to hurriedly make an alternative which she said she liked but I was left feeling deflated by the whole episode, this quilt would make a nice gift for someone and deserves better than to be left in the wardrobe.

 

These blocks ....well..I know I made them but I have really no idea when, at least 5 years ago but I can't really be sure

 

 

I was obviously in a very colourful phase when I made these blocks :-/. They probably need toning down with some sashing- not sure what I'll go for. And I'm not sure where this will end up, maybe a raffle prize for my school.

 

I was dithering about including this- but what the heck, in for a penny...

 

 

From Quilting Modern, I gave this a whirl and was enjoying the prospect of a lovely wall hanging in our sitting room when I caught my husband looking at it. You can tell straight away what they're thinking can't you. Nope, he doesn't like it. Yet again the wind was taken out of my sails, this one has been hanging on the back of the spare room door. I'll probably still make it into a hanging, but keep it small for the spare room instead.

So, that's my list. Now you too know (some) of my quilty secrets. What's yours?

 

I'm trying to link up with all the quilty peeps at-

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.shecanquilt.blogspot.com" title="she can quilt"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKjUIKHLFawA57Rj-p_UYSpXmAh-vygpipyQVfZ2BhqAGvI3p_7ZbUJzWJ1RYUvJgn2AlqazcGkYbKnWW8wihXOJCX-RTynMjZlho5j1L65XG-WEhjOvhgcgPgJkWHudXyTP6qcHYoXqQ/s170/DSC_0273+4.jpg" alt="she can quilt" style="border:none;" height=125 width=125 /></a></div>

Hoping it worked,

 

Tracy xx

 

Plan Bee Group quilt

Well, it's nearly finished, just the binding to go

 

But if I don't show it now I'm afraid it might languish in a cupboard for another year!!

 

 

The blocks ( and others) in this quilt were made by the members of the Plan Bee 2012 group. They sent them to me for assembling.

 

Rachel, our lovely leader, will be donating the quilt to a Children's Hospice local to her in Cumbria.

 

Thanks you to all of our members for the blocks, I hope you approve of the (nearly) finished result.

 

Despite my cold..

I seem to have had a productive (for me anyways) week.
I think being too tired to do much means I've had a lot of time to think about what I'd rather be doing. (Although my aim is now fantastic, as I can throw the tissues to the bin with 99% accuracy, no mean feat for someone who's rubbish at all sports-related activity.)
Consequently, when I've had the energy to do something, I've been really focused and achieved a lot in short bursts. My little contribution To Boston With Love, go check out the Flickr group.

A happy coincidence means that my itching to attempt the Divided basket by Anna Noodlehead has been scratched by three friends expecting. After downloading the pattern and buying fabric in a shop (John lewis)...

... I then needed to buy interfacing and fusible fleece. Luckily, Gone to Earth, had just what I needed and delivered super quick. This is important when you re impatient to get on with it NOW. (We won't mention that it then sits around the house for days at various stages of the construction process, shall we.)

I seem to have added these fabrics to my order, (Heather Bailey, Nicey Jane in Olive; Art Gallery Oval Elements, French Vanilla and Peacock; Comma, Zen Chic,Nigella in Chalk) they will probably join one of my Lucky Stars blocks in the future.
Happy stitching,
Tracy

Zip zip hooray.

From a brilliant tutorial by Noodlehead.

Despite the instructions and photos being clear and straightforward to follow, I still managed to produce this...

Oh we'll, that's what the seam ripper is for.

After a little remedial stitching and putting on the pull tag I've got this...

This little pouch was also my first attempt at FMQ with my 'broken' free motion foot.

I'm not too comfortable with zips but little projects like this are much more 'approachable'. It's nice to be able to tackle a new skill without investing a lot of time and fabric. I'll definitely be making more.

I want to make another project by Anna, her divided basket pattern will be the perfect present for two mums-to-be at work.

The fabric is Madrona Road by Violet Craft.

 

 

The First and the Last.

This is the first block I've sewn on my new table.

It's for Jane, and it's the last block in the PlanBee 2012 group that has been run by the lovely Rachel.

Tracy

I'm so excited...

.. and only other quilters will undestand why. 

That after sitting in my living room for seven months I've finally adapted this..

into this !!

Woo Hoo! I'm hoping that having a sewing machine that's not 10 centimetres too high (doesn't sound a lot but quilters will know that every little bit matters) will mean I can relax my shoulders and not be on tippy toes when sewing. That it turn should mean that I can sew for longer AND I want to learn to Free Motion Quilt.

For the record I stumbled upon this sewing table in a local charity shop. The Singer sewing machine that was in it originally (sorry I forgot to take a photo) lifted up and was flush with the surface. I removed the Singer, cut out a larger hole for my Janome so that it would go as far right as possible, fitted in a new shelf at the correct height, then used the acrylic extension table to cover the gaping hole that was left. I then changed the hinges on the back flap and made a pair of gate legs so that I have an extension table behind the machine.

That sounds so easy, but there was lots of sweat, tears and swearing, nothing went smoothly and my woodwork is rubbish. BUT it's done. And it works (mostly), a bit of carpet under two of the legs to stop the wobble. I just need to secure the acrylic table so that I can use my SuperSlider Teflon mat that I got for Christmas.

So lets see how I get on.

I would just like to thank the Brit Quilt Flickr group and especially Mammafairy, thecraftersapprentice, Scranda3 , and Nikki for their encouragement,

Big Thanks, Tracy